About Us
Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest, leading dairy cooperatives in the United States and major dairy food and ingredients manufacturing business. We represent hundreds of Midwest dairy farmer members located in seven Midwest states, and we produce about 500 million pounds of cheese and 50 million pounds of butter in plants across our network every year. "We Bring Dairy to Life" in seven manufacturing plants across Wisconsin and Michigan and in our headquarters in Middleton (Madison), Wisconsin; and we're looking for employees who are innovative and aim for excellence in our wide variety of production, field and business roles. Join us!
About This Opportunity
JOB TITLE: Plant Controller
POSITION TYPE: Full time
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
Regular Business Hours
Position Overview
The Plant Controller serves as the primary finance business partner to plant leadership, providing financial guidance that supports safe, efficient, and profitable manufacturing operations. This role combines strong financial stewardship with operational partnership to translate plant performance into actionable insights that drive continuous improvement.
Reporting to the Lead Plant Controller, the Plant Controller is responsible for financial planning, cost management, operational analysis, and maintaining a strong controls environment at the facility. The role plays a critical part in connecting day-to-day plant decisions to broader manufacturing network and enterprise financial objectives.
Key Accountabilities
Drive Plant Financial Performance & Operational Partnership:
Serve as a key member of the plant leadership team, providing financial insight to support operational decision making
Partner with plant management to identify risks and opportunities impacting production, cost performance, and profitability
Translate operational drivers such as yields, throughput, labor efficiency, and downtime into financial outcomes
Identify and help implement cost improvement and productivity initiatives aligned with network financial targets
Provide financial evaluation of operational tradeoffs including production scheduling, utilization planning, and downtime decisions
Support execution of strategic and continuous improvement initiatives led by plant or network leadership
Provide financial support for maintenance and operational capital initiatives
Lead Plant Planning, Forecasting, and Cost Management
Lead development of the plant Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and periodic forecasts in alignment with network assumptions
Validate production plans, yield expectations, and productivity standards supporting financial commitments
Maintain accuracy of Bills of Material, routings, shrink assumptions, and standard cost drivers
Develop variable and fixed cost projections and monitor absorption performance
Identify year over year improvement opportunities through operational and financial analysis
Partner with the Lead Plant Controller and Operations Finance Manager to ensure plant plans align with enterprise financial outlooks
Financial Analysis, Reporting, and Performance Reviews
Ensure accurate monthly manufacturing cost reporting and inventory valuation
Lead financial performance reviews with plant leadership focused on variance analysis and corrective actions
Translate financial results into clear operational actions that improve performance and accountability
Provide timely insights and analysis supporting network level financial consolidation
Maintain Strong Financial Controls & Stewardship
Maintain a strong internal control environment consistent with company policies and audit requirements
Ensure proper segregation of duties and financial governance at the facility
Oversee inventory cycle counts, physical verification of spare parts and fixed assets, and related adjustments
Serve as plant finance leader supporting purchasing discipline and expense policy compliance
Support internal and external audit activities as required
Other related duties as required
Minimum Qualifications
2 years of experience in a Plant Controller role or 3 years in other key Finance Leadership roles.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in finance or accounting
Dairy or food manufacturing cost accounting experience
Key competencies
Facilitate trusting relationships through effective communication, follow through on commitments, resolving conflicts and recognizing the good work of others.
Demonstrate growth-oriented qualities by asking questions, being curious open-minded, agile, learning from failures and inspiring the same in others.
Develop innovative solutions by bringing and supporting new ideas and thinking.
Organize work with plans, goals and timelines, prioritization, and time management.
Take ownership to move self (and team, if applicable) forward with positive approach intended to exceed expectations and inspire same in others.
Physical Setting
Onsite 3+ days a week with flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days a week
Ability to travel up to 25%
Benefits:
At Foremost Farms, we believe that you and your family matter most. That's why we're proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and competitive benefits packages in the area - designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Flexible coverage with options to meet the needs of you and your family
401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match on up to 8% of your contributions
Generous Paid Time Off - Start with 200 hours of PTO (pro-rated for first year)
10 Paid Holidays - Enjoy time to rest and recharge
Paid Parental Leave -6 weeks fully paid
Health Savings Account (HSA) - when you elect the high-deductible health plan
Flexible... For full info follow application link.
Equal Opportuity Employer Minorities/Females/ Veterans/Disabled are encouraged to apply.
